Page 40 of Powerful Prince
He squared his shoulders like we were negotiating. “I have my own savings. I’m not destitute and I have every intention of taking seats on boards of companies that will make a difference. This was why I thought it would be fine to marry Darla.”
I didn’t want short term with him. I finished another sip of my coffee and my thoughts became clear. There were still benefits to the plan, but this wasn’t the same. I needed to hold out hope right now, so I said, “You’re right. If we become the runaway royals, there is money to earn.”
His eyebrows shot up. “So you’re in?”
Don’t make promises you can’t keep. My father’s voice rang loud and clear in my mind, even though he’d died years ago. I glanced down and picked up my coffee to drink, and said, “I … we’ll see. I’m open to the idea and my sisters are already on their way for a wedding.”
His face darkened. I wasn’t sure what else to say. Did he want me to say “I love you” when he hadn’t said it, and I … wasn’t sure? I finished my coffee as he said, “You don’t have to marry me out of a sense of obligation, or because we had sex.”
Heat rose in my cheeks. Being with Ryder was the paramount reason to stay—and it wasn’t because I had guilt. I shook my head. “I … wasn’t.”
He scooted closer and his voice went down. “Then why would you go through with this?”
Was he asking me how I felt about him? I didn’t know that answer. My heart thundered right now, but I tugged my ear and said, “I told you, I want a nest egg and a place to retire from public life.”
The brightness in his eyes dulled and the loss of color made me wiggle in my chair as he said, “I can get us a home anywhere in the world you want to hole up in, so you can write your book. I’ll even take some of the pictures for you and write the posts.”
Right. I’d said I’d marry him for that reason—the book I intended to write, but kept putting off because blogging and photographing my life and yoga classes always took priority. For now, I stood up and said, “Let’s just get my sister from the airport and settle her in a room at the hotel while the lawyers talk.”
He finished his coffee quickly and asked, “When does she land?”
I glanced at my phone and felt myself calm down a little. Stephanie was always one to believe in following her heart. I needed her positivity today. “In an hour.”
He picked up his pants from the floor, and asked, “Do you want me to go with you or wait here?”
I didn’t want to lose him over technicalities. I bounced on my feet and said with more force, “I want you with me, unless you’re needed at the palace?”
He tossed his clothes into the bathroom then picked up the letter on the bed as he said, “Let me read you my father’s note.”
He coughed, then spoke in his father’s more bass voice, “Ryder, you and your fiancée were missed this morning. I have set aside 4 pm today for us to discuss this contract, in person. His Royal Majesty, King Sven Kristoff.”
“That’s it?” I asked and my heart raced.
My own parents hadn’t been royals, but I couldn’t imagine them ever speaking to us so formally and coldly.
He tossed the letter back down then held my waist. “If we marry without permission, it’s as I said. I’m out of the family. But he wants me to come, so maybe he’s willing to negotiate. Don’t get your hopes up, though.”
Yet, Frank and the royal lawyers had a meeting at ten, so hopefully everything would work out. I closed my eyes and wished the drama would dissipate into the day as I said, “The lawyers will have already spoken by then.”
He kissed my cheek then let me go as he headed to the bathroom. His muscular ass caught my attention and my body radiated desire as I called out, “Ryder?”
“Yes?” he asked, and stood at the doorway.
I licked my lips and decided we needed to forget this conversation. My nipples were already hardening at the vision of his body when I asked, “How long does it take to get to the airport?”
He didn’t seem to get my meaning as he said, “A half hour. We can rent a car downstairs.”
I walked over and pressed his hands to my heart as I led him back into the room. “We have time then. I … want you … I want us.”
He followed me, but as I neared the bed, he asked, “Why, Nicole?”
My pulse zipped but I swallowed and tilted my head. “Because I’ve never felt like this before. And it’s not the title or the money. It’s you and me I like.”
He reached inside my t-shirt and lifted it as he said, “I wish there was more I could offer you. I know this isn’t what we planned.”
Without a bra, he saw my nipples were already pebbles for him. My entire body heated as I said, “No, it’s not. But do you want me, or is it all just one-sided?”
His lips burned mine and fire grew in me. “I want you, Nicole. I want you more than I ever wanted anyone, but I can’t change my father.”
